National Healthcare Decisions Day is a time to inspire, educate, and empower
the public and healthcare providers about the importance of advance care
planning.
Frederick Regional Health System is joining healthcare organizations across the country to celebrate this
national movement, in hopes of helping others to make, discuss, and document
future healthcare wishes and decisions.
Imagine for a moment that you’re terminally ill or injured and are
unable to communicate your wishes regarding your healthcare. Would your
loved ones know what to do? How would they feel about making such important
decisions on your behalf?
Too many people are left to cope with the loss of a loved one along with
the guilt and uncertainty of having to make healthcare choices for them.
By talking about end-of-life care with the people you love, and planning
your own advance directive, together you can make these difficult situations
easier—and ensure that your own wishes and those of your loved ones
are voiced and respected, if or when the time comes.
What is Advance Care Planning?
Advance care planning is making decisions about the type of care you’d
like if you were unable to speak for yourself, documented using an advance
directive. To put it simply, an advance directive states which medical
interventions you would want and those you would not want if you were
in any of these conditions:
-
End-stage condition: a progressive state caused by injury, disease, or illness. A person suffers
severe and permanent deterioration that can be accompanied by incompetence
and complete physical dependency. To a reasonable degree of medical certainty,
treatment of this irreversible condition would be medically ineffective.
-
Terminal condition: an incurable state caused by injury, disease, or illness that makes death
imminent. Even if life-sustaining procedures are used when an individual
is close to death, there is no reasonable expectation of recovery.
-
Persistent vegetative state: a condition in which a person is permanently unconscious, unaware of their
environment, and unable to interact with others. There is no reasonable
expectation of recovery. It’s important to note that a persistent
vegetative state is not the same as a temporary coma.
It doesn’t matter how old or young you are, or the current state
of your health—now is the time to have conversations and complete documents that identify your wishes,
values, and beliefs. This caring act will relieve your loved ones of the
stress and heartache of guessing what you would want during such a difficult time.
“An
advance directive is a gift a person gives to their family and loved ones because it tells
them what you want, so they don’t have to struggle with these decisions
at a very stressful time for all,” says Dr. Rachel Mandel, Vice
President of Medical Affairs at
Frederick Memorial Hospital.
How Do I Complete an Advance Directive?
Before you get started,
review this checklist for advance care planning.
Every
advance directive legal document includes two parts: Selection of Healthcare Agent(s) and a Living Will.
- Part 1: Selection of Healthcare Agent(s)
This section assigns a person(s) to assist the medical team to make healthcare
decisions on your behalf, if you’re unable to make decisions for yourself.
When selected, your agent is able to consult with your doctor, view medical
records, and give consent for treatment. Your agent is bound to make decisions
according to your known wishes; however, the advance directive
does not authorize your agent to conduct financial business on your behalf.
This section provides instructions for your future medical treatment when
you cannot decide for yourself, including inpatient treatment and/or end-of-life
care. This
does not require an attorney or notary in Maryland, nor does it instruct paramedics
or emergency personnel.
To be effective in the state of Maryland, your advance directive must be
voluntarily executed and made in writing, dated and signed by you, and
signed by two witnesses who are both 18 years or older. Neither witness
can include your healthcare agent(s), nor can your witness benefit financially
or otherwise from your death.
It’s recommended that you complete your advance directive once you
turn 18 years of age, regardless of your current health conditions or
need. Accidents, natural disasters, or an unexpected health crises can
happen at any time.
Once your advance directive is complete, you should give a copy to your:
- Healthcare agent(s)
- Hospital
- Doctors and specialists
- Family and/or loved ones that may be contacted in the event of an emergency
You should also keep a copy in your vehicle’s glove compartment,
with your dated list of medications, and in your Red Folder.
What Is a Red Folder?
A Red Folder is a special place to keep important healthcare paperwork
organized and easily accessible. In it, we recommend including copies
of not only your advance directive, but also your
Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) form, a current list of your healthcare providers and medications, and a recent photo.
The folder is bright red for easy identification and has magnetic strips
on the back so you can attach it to your refrigerator, too. Emergency
responders (including paramedics, firefighters, and police officers) are
trained to look for this folder on refrigerators when responding to a
medical crisis.
What Is a MOLST Form?
Your MOLST form designates medical orders for current treatment. It’s
intended to stay with you as you move in and out of various healthcare
facilities and settings (e.g., assisted living, home with Home Health
Care, nursing home, hospital, hospice, etc.). A treating physician, nurse
practitioner, or physician’s assistant must sign the MOLST form.
It does guide EMS personnel, it should replace an old DNR form, and it
does not expire but should be reviewed during transitions of care.
What Is Financial Power of Attorney?
This form designates a person or agent who will conduct business on your
behalf if you should become unable to do so. This includes transactions
like paying bills or selling your property, for example. The same person
can be your financial power of attorney
and your healthcare agent. An individual with capacity to decide for themselves
must complete this form. It is generally recommended that this form be
completed with an attorney present. The form does not automatically apply
to making healthcare decisions.
Start The Conversation Today
According to a
2013 national survey by
The Conversation Project, a nonprofit that works in collaboration with the
Institute for Healthcare Improvement to help people talk about their end-of-life care wishes, about 90 percent
of people say that talking with their loved ones about end-of-life care
is important. However, only 27 percent have actually done so.
It’s never too early to talk about your wishes for end-of-life care.
The Conversation Starter Kit,
available to download here, is a useful tool to help you have important conversations with your family
members and other loved ones about your end-of-life wishes.
Whether you’re getting ready to tell someone else what you want,
or you want to help someone else get ready to share their wishes, this
starter kit will guide you in talking openly and honestly with your loved
ones, before a medical crisis happens. While the kit doesn’t answer
every question you or your loved one may have, it will help you gather
your thoughts and then begin the conversation together.
Looking for Help with Advance Care Planning?
Do you have an advance directive? If not, it’s time to get one started
and we’re here to help. Our staff can support you in completing
your advance directive and deciding the best options for your needs. We’re
with you every step of the way, so you never feel alone.
Appointments with licensed social workers are available free of cost to
the community. For questions, more information, or to set up a personalized
appointment, please contact Michelle Ross, LGSW, at 240-651-4541 or
mross1@fmh.org, or visit
fmh.org/ACP.